Decibel Examples

We understand that it can be difficult for most people to try and understand what an end result of an acoustical treatment will actually sound like. For example, when trying to enclose a piece a machinery, most people will know or say that they want it quieter, but cannot put into acoustical terms what end result (or decibel reduction) they are desiring.

Below, we have provided audio examples of what different decibel levels are and how they actually perceived or how they sound to the human ear.

If you start with the pink noise button, you will be given an example of a randomized static pink noise – this is your starting point.

From there you can click onto what a 3dB, 6dB, 10dB and a 20dB drop and actually hear and listen to what that the decibel differences are compared to the original static pink noise.

An example of a randomized static pink noise.
3dB reduction has a 18% reduction in the perceived volume and yet is just barely perceptible to the human ear.
6dB reduction has a 34% reduction in the perceived volume and is very noticeable to the human ear.
10dB reduction has a 50% reduction in the perceived volume and sounds half as loud to the human ear.
20dB reduction has a 75% reduction in the perceived volume and most noticeable to the human ear.